It's that time of year again...allergy season! Even those of us without allergies can be bothered by all the pollen and allergens in the air (the downside of being a contact lens wearer), which makes me even more aware of the difficulties associated with truly being allergic...to anything.

Of course, you seasonal allergy sufferers don't need to be made aware of that! Did you know more than 50 million Americans suffer from some type of allergy? In addition, almost 26 million Americans are afflicted with asthma, a condition that in some cases arises as a result of allergies. Asthma and allergies alike can have serious ramifications, including hospitalization and even death. By bringing more awareness to these ailments, the hope is that people will take early action to deal with symptoms. Early identification and preventative care can make living with allergies and asthma much less difficult.

Keep an eye out for symptoms, especially in children. Asthma symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and a tightness in the chest. Allergy symptoms can vary in severity: mild allergy symptoms include congestion, skin rash, and itchy or watery eyes, whereas moderate symptoms may include difficulty breathing, and itchiness. Clearly difficulty breathing can become a very serious emergency situation.

While severe asthma symptoms can begin with itchy eyes and face, they can soon progress to swelling, causing breathing difficulties, cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Confusion and dizziness can also be severe symptoms of asthma.

Allergy and asthma sufferers may find it necessary to wear a medical ID, especially if they tend toward more moderate or severe symptoms. Consider getting a pre-printed dog tag or charm to protect you in an emergency situation...or a custom-engraved charm or dog tag. Even better, check out our Squid IDs so that all of your medical information is stored and easily accessible at all times.

Here are some of the pre-printed asthma and allergy items we have available...